A domestic partnership registry is a simple thing. If created, unmarried gay and straight couples could register as legal families. Once registered, you'll be notified if your partner or partner's children are in an emergency. You'll have hospital visitation rights. You'll have end of life decision making powers. You can pick your partner's children up from school. You can make decisions for your partner after death.

More and more places are learning the benefits of offering domestic partnerships, recognizing that Domestic Partner Registries are the best way for local governments to create the strongest protections for gay and straight families.

We encourage Tampa leaders to model their policy after registries created in Florida communities like Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Monroe, Gainesville and Orlando.